The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 has an arrangement that surprises almost everyone: in most cases, the person doing the building work pays for the surveyors — including the neighbour’s. Here is how the costs actually fall, and the exceptions worth knowing about.
The General Rule: The Building Owner Pays
If you serve a party wall notice for your extension, loft or basement, and your neighbour dissents, surveyors are appointed to agree a party wall award. The building owner normally pays the reasonable fees of both their own surveyor and the adjoining owner’s surveyor. The logic is simple: the works are for your benefit, so the cost of protecting your neighbour falls to you.
When the Neighbour Can End Up Paying
There are exceptions. If the adjoining owner requests additional works for their own benefit, they pay for that element. If a defect or repair to a shared structure benefits both owners, costs can be apportioned by use and responsibility. And if an adjoining owner behaves unreasonably — for instance running up unnecessary fees — the surveyors can reflect that in the award.
Keeping Fees Proportionate
Two things keep party wall costs down. First, an agreed surveyor: both owners appoint one impartial surveyor instead of one each, roughly halving fees. Second, early schedules of condition: a good schedule of condition prevents the expensive disputes about damage that generate most post-works fees. Our guide to the cost of a party wall agreement sets out typical figures.
If a Dispute Has Already Escalated
Where damage is alleged after works, or an award is being challenged, an independent party wall expert witness can assess the evidence and provide a report both sides — or a court — can rely on.
Served or received a party wall notice? Our party wall surveyors in Manchester act for building owners and adjoining owners with fixed fees agreed up front. Call 020 4579 8270.